Back in September of 2017, I decided to celebrate my 40th Birthday by going on a dream trip to Britain. Three weeks after booking it, my parents decided that I shouldn't go along and booked the trip too.
Fast forward eight months and here we are. I've started 40 off with a whole bunch of firsts:
1. First time flying on a really big plane.
2. First time leaving North America
3. First time getting a stamp in my passport (bucket list item)
4. First time going to Europe
5. First time navigating Heathrow airport
6. First time riding in a Mercedes (that was just a happy coincidence).
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| My chariot awaits |
At this point, I've been awake since 6:50am yesterday Ottawa time (or 11:50am local time) and managed to sleep for 2.5 hours on the plane. I have to admit, it was very disconcerting and confusing to wake up at 3:30am and see sunshine. Took me a good two minutes to shake off the fog long enough to figure out what was happening. Managed to snap out of it and realize where I was. I was flying over Ireland. I'd done it. I'd made it outside of North America! Not too long thereafter, we were passing over Manchester England. The skies were clear so I got to see the gorgeous English countryside below. It was just as beautiful as it's been in all the movies and tv shows I've watched.
Heathrow is a massive airport but my terminal wasn't too far from the passport check and baggage so, even after a bathroom stop, I made good time getting there. But oh.my.god. The size of the line (sorry, queue since I'm in English) was a massive. Long story short, a tired, hungry and slightly cranky Sarah spent an hour, walking back and forth across the width of the room as the queue slowly crept along. All of that to spend 20 seconds with the nice border security man who then gave me my first stamp in my passport! Woohoo! Got to baggage and my flight wasn't listed on the board. So I asked a nice man what that meant, he asked me my flight number and send me to #4. I then corralled several other lost folks from my flight and become a pied piper of luggage. My good deed was rewarded as my bag was just passing by as I got to the belt. Woohoo!
Made it through Customs in 30 seconds and out into the arrivals area, to find my ride. I was able to locate the nice man holding a sign that said "WATSON HOWELL". Turns out the Howell's are from Virginia and were very nice people. Off we went to a shiny Mercedes. I got to sit on the front and, you guessed it, went to the wrong door. LOL.
But I made it to the hotel, safe and sound, where my Mom and Dad were waiting to greet me!
After catching up and getting to open my birthday presents (hint - I got more bling) we headed down for lunch.
Upon my return to my hotel room, I found a surprise waiting for me on the desk: A little bottle of wine and a brownie/cake that said "Happy Birthday" on it! The hotel sent it up because somehow they knew it was my birthday!
I'm officially spoiled.
The rest of the afternoon was spent trying to stay awake. We ventured out to a pub down the road for dinner and I got to experience another first: riding in one of the fancy London cabs. They're really cool on the inside and have two "jump" seats, which is where we stuck my dad. He didn't seem to mind. LOL.
I loved seeing the pretty buildings and watching the iconic red, double-decker buses go by. It was all so amazing. Seeing first hand a place that I've only ever seen in movies and on television.
I've got to say, I'm pretty darn tired now, but wanted to get this first post up before I hit the hay. I think we're going to go on a "Hop on, hop off" bus adventure tomorrow.
Tune in for more tomorrow!
Good Night,
Sarah XOXO
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